BATON ROUGE - In the continued efforts of the Baton Rouge Area Violence Elimination program to clean up the city's streets, the organization will hold a "Gas for Guns" exchange and neighborhood cleanup day on Saturday, Aug. 23.

The gun exchange will allow residents to safely dispose of firearms and ammunition they no longer want to keep in their homes while ensuring the weapons don't harm anyone or fall into the wrong hands, according to Mayor "Kip" Holden, a sponsor of the event.

BRAVE's gun buyback program will offer $50 to $300 in gas coupons foe each qualifying handgun or assault weapon turned in during the event with no identification required and no questions asked.

Mayor Holden said unsecured firearms are especially dangerous to children, and noted that the weapons can be used to commit crimes if they are not disposed of properly.

Three gun buyback programs like the one coming up later this month have been held in Baton Rouge and the events have collected more than 300 handguns, rifles and shotguns off of the city's streets.

Smaller handguns and revolvers will likely fetch the gun owner $50 in gas coupons, but the exchange program is offering a higher incentive of up to $300 in gas coupons for assault rifles because they are expensive and more desirable to criminals.

There is a limit of two firearms per person until all of the gas cards are given out. Donors arriving by car should place the firearms they wish to donate in the trunk of their vehicle. Donors who walk to the event should bring the guns in a sealed or closed container such as a bag, backpack or box.

Donors who are uncomfortable with bringing the firearm to the exchange site can contact Baton Rouge police or the sheriff's office at any time to have a member of law enforcement dispatched to collect the weapon. However, gas cards will not be given out any other time outside of the "Gas for Guns" program date.

The BRAVE "Gas for Guns" exchange will be held at the Living Faith Christian Center at 6375 Winbourne Avenue on Saturday, Aug. 23 from 10 a.m. until noon.

This year's gun buyback program was made possible by a donation from the Circle K Corporation and matching funds from local law enforcement drug seizure and asset forfeitures.

On the same Saturday from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m., BRAVE will coordinate a neighborhood cleanup effort for the 70805 zip code. Participants should meet at the Fruit of the Spirit Church at 3338 Plank Road. Cleaning supplies and refreshments will be provided.

For more information about the program or the 70805 neighborhood cleanup effort, please call (225) 239-7835 or email bravebtr@gmail.com.